Ultrasonic imaging apparatus and method of processing ultrasound image

ABSTRACT

Provided are an ultrasound imaging apparatus and a method of processing an ultrasound image. The ultrasound imaging apparatus includes a display configured to display a moving image consisting of a plurality of ultrasound images that are played back according to a time order together with at least one icon, corresponding to at least one piece of change information for changing a display of at least one of the plurality of ultrasound images, in association with the time order.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.14/948,538, filed Nov. 23, 2015, which claims the benefit of KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2014-0192554, filed on Dec. 29, 2014, in theKorean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

One or more exemplary embodiments relate to an ultrasound imagingapparatus for displaying a screen including an ultrasound image and amethod of processing an ultrasound image.

2. Description of the Related Art

Due to its non-invasive and non-destructive nature, an ultrasound systemhas become widely used in many medical fields that require informationabout the inside of an object. The ultrasound system also plays acritical role in medical diagnosis since it can provide high-resolutionimages of internal tissues of an object to a medical practitionerwithout the need for performing a surgical procedure to directly incisethe object for observation.

A user may view a moving image consisting of a plurality of ultrasoundimages. Furthermore, the user may change a display of at least one ofthe plurality of ultrasound images, e.g., by enlarging or reducing aspecific region in the at least one ultrasound image.

SUMMARY

One or more exemplary embodiments include an ultrasound imagingapparatus and method that are capable of displaying a moving imageconsisting of a plurality of ultrasound images that are played backaccording to a time order together with an icon, corresponding to changeinformation for changing a display of an ultrasound image, inassociation with the time order.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may belearned by practice of the presented exemplary embodiments.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, an ultrasound imagingapparatus includes a display configured to display a moving imageconsisting of a plurality of ultrasound images that are played backaccording to a time order together with at least one icon, correspondingto at least one piece of change information for changing a display of atleast one of the plurality of ultrasound images, in association with thetime order.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus may further include a user interfaceconfigured to receive a first input for selecting the at least one icon.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus may further include a controllerconfigured to change, if the first input is received, the at least oneultrasound image according to the at least one piece of changeinformation and control the changed ultrasound image to be displayed viathe display.

The display may display at least one thumbnail image corresponding tothe at least one ultrasound image according to the time order, and theuser interface may receive a second input for selecting the at least onethumbnail image. The apparatus may further include a controllerconfigured to control, if the second input is received, the at least oneultrasound image corresponding to the at least one thumbnail image to bedisplayed via the display.

The at least one piece of change information may include at least oneselected from the group consisting of information for inserting apredetermined letter or image into the at least one ultrasound image,information for changing an imaging mode for the at least one ultrasoundimage, and information for enlarging or reducing the at least oneultrasound image.

The display may display a progress indicator representing the time orderand further displays the at least one icon.

The display may display the at least one icon at a position close to atime point within the progress indicator when the at least oneultrasound image is displayed.

The progress indicator may be displayed based on a time when theplurality of ultrasound images are displayed or based on the number ofultrasound images displayed among the plurality of ultrasound images.

The display may display the at least one piece of change informationthat is classified according to a predetermined criterion or arrangedaccording to an order in which the at least one piece of changeinformation is generated.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus may further include: an imageacquisition unit configured to acquire the plurality of ultrasoundimages; a controller configured to generate the at least one piece ofchange information based on a user input; and a memory configured tostore the at least one piece of change information as metadata.

The image acquisition unit may transmit an ultrasound signal to anobject over a predetermined period and generate the plurality ofultrasound images based on an echo signal reflected from the object.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a method of processingan ultrasound image includes: displaying a moving image consisting of aplurality of ultrasound images that are played back according to a timeorder together with at least one icon, corresponding to at least onepiece of change information for changing a display of at least one ofthe plurality of ultrasound images, in association with the time order;and receiving a first input for selecting the at least one icon.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a non-transitorycomputer-readable recording medium has recorded thereon a program forexecuting the above method on a computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readilyappreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an ultrasound imaging apparatus accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an ultrasound imaging apparatus accordingto another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example where an ultrasoundimaging apparatus displays an ultrasound image;

FIG. 4 illustrates a second region shown in FIG. 3 according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 5 through 9 illustrate examples where an ultrasound imagingapparatus displays ultrasound images according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 10A is a diagram for explaining classifying and displaying of iconsby an ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10B is an example where an ultrasound imaging apparatus receives aninput for selecting pieces of change information from the user,according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10C is an example where an ultrasound imaging apparatus displays anultrasound image when receiving a user input as shown in FIG. 10B,according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10D is an example where an ultrasound imaging apparatus displays asecond region when receiving a user input as shown in FIG. 10B,according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining classifying and displaying of piecesof change information by an ultrasound imaging apparatus according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a method of processing an ultrasoundimage, which is performed by an ultrasound imaging apparatus, accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of processing an ultrasoundimage, which is performed by an ultrasound imaging apparatus, accordingto another exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a configuration of an ultrasound diagnosisapparatus related to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examplesof which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The exemplaryembodiments set forth herein should be considered in a descriptive senseonly and not for purposes of limitation. Other features or embodimentsthat will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art fromthe following descriptions and embodiments will be construed as beingincluded in the present inventive concept. Expressions such as “at leastone of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list ofelements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

The terms used in this specification are those general terms currentlywidely used in the art in consideration of functions regarding thepresent invention, but the terms may vary according to the intention ofthose of ordinary skill in the art, precedents, or new technology in theart.

When a part “includes” or “comprises” an element, unless there is aparticular description contrary thereto, the part can further includeother elements, not excluding the other elements. In addition, termssuch as “ . . . unit”, “ . . . module”, or the like refer to units thatperform at least one function or operation, and the units may beimplemented as hardware or software or as a combination of hardware andsoftware.

Throughout the specification, it will be understood that when an elementis referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, itcan be directly connected to or electrically coupled to the otherelement with one or more intervening elements interposed therebetween.

Throughout the specification, an “object” may be a living or non-livingthing of which image is to be generated. The object may also be a partof a human body. In this case, the object may include an internal organsuch as the liver, the heart, the womb, the brain, a breast, or theabdomen, a fetus, etc. The object may also include a cross-section ofthe human body.

A “medical image” may be an ultrasound image or all other imagesgenerated using medical imaging techniques such as magnetic resonanceimaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and positron emissiontomography (PET). The images are obtained by reconstructing across-section or volume data of a tissue of a human body from a signalprojected onto the tissue and are used for diagnosis and treatment ofdiseases.

Throughout the specification, a “user” may be, but is not limited to, amedical expert such as a medical doctor, a nurse, a medical laboratorytechnologist, a sonographer, or a medical imaging expert.

Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an ultrasound imaging apparatus 100according to an exemplary embodiment. The ultrasound imaging apparatus100 according to the present exemplary embodiment may be a cart typeapparatus or a portable type apparatus. The ultrasound imaging apparatus100 refers to an apparatus for providing a user with a medical image ofan object via a screen. Examples of a portable type medical imagedisplay apparatus may include, but are not limited to, a picturearchiving and communication system (PACS) viewer, a smartphone, a laptopcomputer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a tablet PC.

Referring to FIG. 1, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may include adisplay 110 and a user interface 120. Although FIG. 1 shows that theultrasound imaging apparatus 100 includes only the components related tothe present exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those ofordinary skill in the art that the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 mayfurther include other components than those shown in FIG.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the display 110 consecutivelydisplays a plurality of ultrasound images according to a time order. Thedisplay 110 also displays on a screen a moving image consisting of theplurality of ultrasound images that are reproduced time-sequentially.Furthermore, the display 110 displays, together with the moving image,at least one icon, corresponding to at least one piece of changeinformation for changing a display of at least one of the plurality ofultrasound images displayed on the screen, in association with the timeorder. According to an exemplary embodiment, the display 110 may displaydifferent icons corresponding to different kinds of change informationin order to identify the different kinds of change information.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the display 110 may display aprogress indicator representing the time order in which a moving imageis reproduced together with an icon corresponding to change information.In detail, the progress indicator may represent a status or progress ofreproduction of a moving image over time. For example, the progressindicator may be a progress bar. Furthermore, the progress indicator maybe displayed based on the time when ultrasound images of a moving imageare reproduced or the number of ultrasound images displayed as themoving image is reproduced.

Change information refers to information for changing a display of anultrasound image. For example, the change information may be informationfor inserting a letter or image into an ultrasound image, informationfor changing an imaging mode for an ultrasound image, or information fordisplaying an enlarged or reduced version of an ultrasound image.Examples of change information will be described in more detail belowwith reference to FIG. 10.

Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment, the display 110 maydisplay a thumbnail image, corresponding to a predetermined image amonga plurality of ultrasound images, in association with the time order inwhich a moving image is reproduced.

According to an exemplary embodiment, if a plurality of pieces of changeinformation are generated for a moving image, the display 110 maydisplay the plurality of pieces of change information that areclassified according to a predetermined criterion. A more detailedexemplary embodiment thereof will be described below with reference toFIG. 11.

The display 130 of FIG. 1 may display information processed by themedical image display apparatus 100. For example, the display 130 maydisplay an ultrasound image, or a user interface (UI) or graphic userinterface (GUI) related to setting of functions of the ultrasoundimaging apparatus 100.

The display 110 may include at least one selected from a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a thin-film transistor-LCD (TFT-LCD), an organiclight-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, a three-dimensional(3D) display, and an electrophoretic display.

According to exemplary embodiments, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100may include two or more displays 110.

The user interface 120 receives a first input for selecting at least oneicon displayed via the display 110. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the user interface 120 may receive an input for selecting atleast one of a plurality of ultrasound images displayed on a screen. Theuser interface 120 may also receive a user input for changing a displayof at least one ultrasound image. Furthermore, the user interface 120may receive a user input for requesting a screen shot of at least oneultrasound image displayed via the display 110.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the user interface 120 may receivea user input for stopping a consecutive display of a plurality ofultrasound images based on a first one of the ultrasound images. Forexample, if a first one of a plurality of ultrasound images that are tobe consecutively displayed is displayed, the user interface 120 mayreceive a freeze signal for temporarily stopping a consecutive displayof the ultrasound images from a user, and accordingly, the display 110may display only the first ultrasound image. Then, the user interface120 may receive a signal for terminating the freeze signal from theuser, and accordingly, the display 110 may consecutively displaysubsequent ultrasound images.

The user interface 120 may include a device for receiving apredetermined input from the outside. Examples of the user interface 120may include a microphone, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a touch pad,a touch pen, a voice recognition sensor, a gesture recognition sensor,etc.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the user interface 120 may receivea user input for selecting an icon displayed on a screen. If the userinterface 120 receives an input for selecting an icon, the display 110may display on the screen an ultrasound image changed according tochange information corresponding to the selected icon. Furthermore,according to an exemplary embodiment, the user interface 120 may receivea user input for selecting a thumbnail image for an ultrasound image.For example, if the user interface 120 receives an input for selecting athumbnail image, the display 110 may display an ultrasound imagecorresponding to the selected thumbnail image on the screen.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an ultrasound imaging apparatus 200according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 200 according tothe present exemplary embodiment may include a display 210, a userinterface 220, an image acquisition unit 230, a controller 240, and amemory 250. Although FIG. 2 shows that the ultrasound imaging apparatus200 includes only the components related to the present exemplaryembodiment, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the artthat the ultrasound imaging apparatus 200 may further include othercomponents than those shown in FIG. 2.

The descriptions of the display 110 and the user interface 120 of FIG. 1are included in the descriptions of the display 210 and the userinterface 220 shown in FIG. 2, and thus, are not repeated.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the image acquisition unit 230 mayacquire a plurality of ultrasound images that are to be sequentiallydisplayed. The image acquisition unit 230 may also acquire a movingimage consisting of a plurality of ultrasound images that are reproducedtime-sequentially. According to an exemplary embodiment, the imageacquisition unit 410 may include an ultrasound probe for transmitting orreceiving ultrasound waves directly to or from an object. The ultrasoundprobe may transmit ultrasound signals to the object in response to adriving signal applied thereto and receive echo signals reflected fromthe object.

The ultrasound data acquisition unit 410 acquires ultrasound datarelated to an object. In detail, the ultrasound data acquisition unit410 may transmit ultrasound signals to the object and acquire ultrasounddata based on echo signals reflected from the object.

The ultrasound probe includes a plurality of transducers, and theplurality of transducers oscillate in response to electric signals andgenerate acoustic energy, i.e., ultrasound waves. Furthermore, theultrasound probe may be connected to a main body of the ultrasoundimaging apparatus 200 by wire or wirelessly. According to exemplaryembodiments, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 200 may include aplurality of ultrasound probes. An ultrasound probe according to anexemplary embodiment may include at least one selected from a1-dimensional (1D) probe, a 1.5-dimenstional (1.5D) probe, atwo-dimensional (2D) (matrix) probe, and a 3D probe.

Thus, the image acquisition unit 230 may transmit an ultrasound signalto an object over a predetermined period via an ultrasound probe andgenerate a plurality of ultrasound images of the object based on an echosignal reflected from the object. Thus, the image acquisition unit 230may acquire a moving image from the generated ultrasound images.

Thus, the display 210 may display the generated ultrasound images inreal-time, and the memory 250 may store a moving image in which theultrasound images are sequentially displayed.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the image acquisition unit 230 mayalso acquire a moving image consisting of a plurality of ultrasoundimages reproduced from the outside via a communication module (notshown). Furthermore, the image acquisition unit 230 may acquire aplurality of prestored ultrasound images from the memory 250.

According to an exemplary embodiment, based on a user input received viathe user interface 220, the controller 240 may generate at least onepiece of change information for changing a display of at least one of aplurality of ultrasound images. The controller 240 may also generate anicon identifying change information and control the generated icon to bedisplayed via the display 210. Furthermore, if the user interface 220receives an input for selecting an icon from the user, the controller240 may change an ultrasound image according to change informationcorresponding to the icon and control the changed ultrasound image to bedisplayed via the display 210.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the controller 240 may also take ascreen shot of at least one of a plurality of ultrasound images based ona user input received via the user interface 220, thereby generating athumbnail image for the at least one ultrasound image. A screen shotrefers to an image obtained by capturing an image currently beingdisplayed on the screen via the display 210 and preserving it as a file.Thus, the controller 240 may control the thumbnail image to be displayedvia the display 210 together with a progress indicator. Furthermore, ifthe user interface 220 receives an input for selecting a thumbnail imagefrom the user, the controller 240 may control an ultrasound imagecorresponding to the thumbnail image to be displayed via the display210.

Furthermore, the user interface 220 may receive a user input forstopping reproduction of a moving image. In this case, the controller240 may stop the reproduction of the moving image at the moment when afirst ultrasound image in the moving image is displayed. Subsequently,the controller 240 may generate change information for changing adisplay of the first ultrasound image based on the user input.

Based on a user input received via the user interface 220, thecontroller 240 may also classify at least one piece of changeinformation according to a predetermined criterion. For example, theuser interface 220 may receive input information for classifying piecesof change information of a moving image into a plurality of categoriesfrom the user, and the controller 240 may classify the changeinformation of the moving image according to the input information. Thecontroller 240 may also control icons corresponding to the changeinformation to be displayed via the display 210, as described in moredetail below with reference to FIG. 11.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory 250 may store at leastone piece of change information as metadata. Metadata refers to dataproviding information directly or indirectly associated with data suchas moving images, sounds, and documents. Thus, the memory 250 may storemetadata containing change information of each moving image acquired bythe image acquisition unit 230.

Furthermore, the controller 240 may classify at least one piece ofchange information based on the metadata stored in the memory 250 andcontrol icons corresponding to the at least one piece of classifiedchange information to be displayed via the display 210.

Thus, according to the present disclosure, the user may simultaneouslycheck a moving image displayed by the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100(200) as well as icons representing pieces of change information relatedto the moving image, and thus identify the pieces of change informationrelated to the moving image in advance before viewing the entire movingimage. Furthermore, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 (200) mayselectively display change information desired by the user among thepieces of change information related to the moving image.

Furthermore, the memory 250 may store a moving image in which aplurality of ultrasound images are reproduced time-sequentially. Inaddition, if at least one ultrasound image is changed according to atleast one piece of change information, the memory 250 may store thechanged ultrasound image.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example where the ultrasoundimaging apparatus 100 (200) displays an ultrasound image. Forconvenience of explanation, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 (200)is hereinafter referred to as the apparatus 100 (200).

The apparatus 100 (200) may display first and second regions 310 and 320on the screen via the display 110 (210). The first region 310 depicts aplurality of ultrasound images that are sequentially displayed as amoving image is reproduced. The second region 320 displays a progressindicator 330 indicating the time order in which the plurality ofultrasound images in the moving image is reproduced, icons 341 through345 for identifying pieces of change information corresponding thereto,and thumbnail images 351 and 352. The moving image displayed in thefirst region 310 may be a moving image prestored in the apparatus 100(200) or showing a plurality of ultrasound images generated by theapparatus 100 (200) using an ultrasound signal. As shown in FIG. 3, thethumbnail images 351 and 352 may be displayed by adding camera-shapedicons thereto. Although FIG. 3 shows that the progress indicator 330 isdisplayed in unit of time, exemplary embodiments are not limitedthereto, and the progress indicator 330 may be displayed in unit of thenumber of ultrasound image frames in the moving image. For example, theprogress indicator 330 may show the lapse of time and move from left toright as time passes.

Based on a user input, the apparatus 100 (200) may display in the secondregion 320 the icons 341 through 345 corresponding to the pieces ofchange information for changing a display of ultrasound images selectedby the user. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 100(200) may display the icons 341 through 345 representing the pieces ofchange information of ultrasound images displayed at time points 361through 365 within the progress indicator 330, in association with theprogress indicator 330.

In detail, the icon 341 represents change information for addingmeasurement information of a specific region in the ultrasound imagedisplayed at the time point 361 to the ultrasound image, as described inmore detail below with reference to FIG. 5.

The icon 342 represents change information for adding an annotation tothe ultrasound image displayed at the time point 362 according to a userinput, as described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 6.

The icon 343 represents change information for adding a pointer markerto the ultrasound image displayed at the time point 363 according to auser input. ‘x5’ within the icon 363 indicates that five (5) pointermarkers, to be added to specific points, have been set in the ultrasoundimage, as described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 7.

The icon 344 represents change information for attaching a body markerto the ultrasound image displayed at the time point 364 according to auser input. The body marker is an annotation indicated by apredetermined image and indicates which part of a body corresponds to aspecific region in an ultrasound image, as described in more detailbelow with reference to FIG. 8.

The icon 345 represents change information for changing an imaging modefor the ultrasound image displayed at the time point 365, as describedin more detail below with reference to FIG. 9.

Furthermore, the apparatus 100 (200) may take screen shots of theultrasound images displayed at the time points 361 and 365 based on auser input, thereby displaying the thumbnail images 351 and 352 for theultrasound images in association with the progress indicator 330. If thethumbnail images 351 and 352 are selected according to a user input, theapparatus 100 (200) may display the ultrasound images corresponding tothe thumbnail images 351 and 352 in the first region 310.

FIG. 4 illustrates the second region 320 shown in FIG. 3 according to anexemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, the apparatus 100 (200) may display icons 410, 430,and 440, the progress indicator 330, and five (5) thumbnail images 450in the second region 320.

The apparatus 100 (200) may generate a plurality of pieces of changeinformation for an ultrasound image displayed at a time point 420 withinthe progress indicator 330 based on a user input. Thus, the apparatus100 (200) may display the icon 410 corresponding to the plurality ofpieces of change information in association with the progress indicator330. ‘x15’ within the progress indicator 330 indicates that fifteen (15)pieces of change information are generated for the ultrasound image. Ifthe apparatus 100 (200) receives an input for selecting the icon 410from the user, a region including 15 icons corresponding to the 15pieces of change information is created. The apparatus 100 (200) maythen display the icon 440 representing the 15 pieces of changeinformation.

Furthermore, the apparatus 100 (200) may take a plurality of screenshots of the ultrasound image displayed at the time point 420 within theprogress indicator 330. Thus, the apparatus 100 (200) may display theicon 430 representing information indicating that the plurality ofscreen shots have been taken. If the apparatus 100 (200) receives aninput for selecting the icon 430, the apparatus 100 (200) may displaythe 5 thumbnail images 450. Furthermore, according to an exemplaryembodiment, each of the 5 thumbnail images 450 may be a thumbnail imagefor an ultrasound image changed according to at least one of the 15pieces of change information.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example where the ultrasoundimaging apparatus 100 (200) displays an ultrasound image.

The apparatus 100 (200) may receive from the user an input for measuringa distance between two specific points in an ultrasound image 510displayed at a time point 361 within a progress indicator 330. Then, theapparatus 100 (200) may generate change information for setting adisplay of measurement information 520 to be added to the ultrasoundimage 510. Thus, the apparatus 100 (200) may display an icon 341representing the generated change information at a position near thetime point 361. Although FIG. 5 shows that the measurement information520 is obtained by measuring a linear distance between the two points,exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and the measurementinformation 520 may be obtained by measuring an angle between twostraight lines or an area of a specific region. Furthermore, the usermay generate the measurement information 520 using a function of acaliper within the apparatus 100 (200). In this case, a caliper may be avirtual measuring instrument that can be used to measure a length, adiameter, a width, etc., of a target (e.g., a specific fetal bone)within an object. A function of a caliper may be a function forobtaining measurement information by measuring the target.

The apparatus 100 (200) may also receive an input for selecting the icon341 from the user and then display the ultrasound image 510 having themeasurement information 520 added thereto in a first region 310according to the change information.

Furthermore, although FIG. 5 shows the progress indicator 330 in theform of a progress bar, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto,and the progress indicator 330 may have various other forms.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining another example where the ultrasoundimaging apparatus 100 (200) displays an ultrasound image.

The apparatus 100 (200) may receive from the user an input for insertingan annotation 620 into an ultrasound image 610 displayed at a time point362 within a progress indicator 330. Then, the apparatus 100 (200) maygenerate change information for adding the annotation 620 to theultrasound image 610. Thus, the apparatus 100 (200) may display an icon342 representing the generated change information at a position near thetime point 362. Although FIG. 6 shows that the annotation 620 isindicated by letters ‘pancreas’ and ‘spleen’, exemplary embodiments arenot limited thereto, and the annotation 620 may be indicated by anotherletter or arbitrary image.

Furthermore, the apparatus 100 (200) may receive an input for selectingthe icon 342 from the user and then display the ultrasound image 610having the annotation 620 added thereto in a first region 310 accordingto the change information.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another example where the ultrasoundimaging apparatus 100 (200) displays an ultrasound image.

The apparatus 100 (200) may receive from the user an input for insertinga pointer marker 720 into an ultrasound image 710 displayed at a timepoint 363 within a progress indicator 330. Then, the apparatus 100 (200)may generate change information for adding the pointer marker 720 to theultrasound image 710. Thus, the apparatus 100 (200) may display an icon343 representing the generated change information at a position near thetime point 363. The pointer marker 720 is not limited to the form ortotal number shown in FIG. 7 and may have different shapes or includemore or fewer pointer markers than five (5).

Furthermore, the apparatus 100 (200) may receive an input for selectingthe icon 343 from the user and then display the ultrasound image 710having the pointer marker 720 added thereto in a first region 310according to the change information.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining another example where the ultrasoundimaging apparatus 100 (200) displays an ultrasound image.

The apparatus 100 (200) may receive from the user an input for insertinga body marker 830 indicating a specific region 820 in an ultrasoundimage 810 displayed at a time point 364 within a progress indicator 330.Then, the apparatus 100 (200) may generate change information for addingbody marker information 820 and 830 to the ultrasound image 810. Thus,the apparatus 100 (200) may display an icon 344 representing thegenerated change information at a position near the time point 364.Although FIG. 8 shows the body marker 830 indicates which part of a bodycorresponds to the specific region 820 showing a carotid, exemplaryembodiments are not limited thereto. Furthermore, the body marker 830 isnot limited to a shape or location as shown in FIG. 8, and may have adifferent shape or be located at a different position on a screen.

Furthermore, the apparatus 100 (200) may receive an input for selectingthe icon 344 from the user and then display the ultrasound image 810having the body marker information 820 and 830 added thereto in a firstregion 310 according to the change information.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining another example where the ultrasoundimaging apparatus 100 (200) displays an ultrasound image.

The apparatus 100 (200) may receive from the user an input for changingan imaging mode with respect to a specific region 920 in an ultrasoundimage 910 displayed at a time point 365 within a progress indicator 330.Then, the apparatus 100 (200) may generate change information for addingthe specific region 920, with respect to which the imaging mode has beenchanged, to the ultrasound image 910. Thus, the apparatus 100 (200) maydisplay an icon 345 representing the generated change information at aposition near the time point 365. Although FIG. 9 shows that an imagingmode for the specific region 920 is changed, the apparatus 100 (200) maygenerate change information for changing an imaging mode for the entireultrasound image 910.

Furthermore, the apparatus 100 (200) may receive an input for selectingthe icon 345 from the user and then display the ultrasound image 910 towhich is added the specific region 920, with respect to which theimaging mode has been changed, in a first region 310 according to thechange information.

FIG. 10A is a diagram for explaining classifying and displaying of iconsby the apparatus 100 (200) according to an exemplary embodiment.

The user may preselect an icon that can be displayed in the secondregion 320 of FIG. 3 from among all icons generated by the apparatus 100(200). According to an exemplary embodiment, the user may perform aninput for preselecting an icon that can be displayed in the secondregion 320 via the user interface 120 (220). According to an exemplaryembodiment, the apparatus 100 (200) may provide the user with a screen1001 via the display 110 (210), and receive an input for selecting anicon from the user via the user interface 120 (220). According to anexemplary embodiment, the apparatus 100 (200) may provide the user withthe screen 1001 and classify icons that can be selected by the user intofour categories, i.e., Indication, Mode Change, Image Change, andFunction categories for display thereof. Furthermore, as shown on thescreen 1001, the apparatus 100 (200) may display five (5), six (6), four(4), and three (3) pieces of change information respectively included inthe indication, mode change, image change, and function categories. Theapparatus 100 (200) may also provide categories or pieces of changeinformation other than the four categories and the pieces of changeinformation included in the four categories shown on the screen 1001.

As seen on the screen 1001, according to an exemplary embodiment, theIndication category may include the 5 pieces of change information,i.e., Caliper for adding measurement information such as a length orangle of a specific portion in an ultrasound image to the ultrasoundimage, Measure for adding clinical information and measurementinformation such as a length or angle of a specific portion in anultrasound image to the ultrasound image, Annotation for adding anannotation indicated by a letter or image to an ultrasound image, BodyMarker for adding information indicating which part of a bodycorresponds to a specific region in an ultrasound image to theultrasound image, and Pointer for adding an annotation having a form ofa mouse pointer to an ultrasound image.

According to an exemplary embodiment, as shown on the screen 1001, theMode Change category may include the 6 pieces of change information,i.e., Brightness (B) Mode for changing an imaging mode for an originalultrasound image to a B mode or displaying an ultrasound image in the Bmode together with the original ultrasound image, Color (C) Mode forchanging an imaging mode for an original ultrasound image to a C mode ordisplaying an ultrasound image in the C mode together with the originalultrasound image, Pulse Wave (PW) Mode for changing an imaging mode foran original ultrasound image to a PW mode or displaying an ultrasoundimage in the PW mode together with the original ultrasound image, PowerDoppler (PD) Mode for changing an imaging mode for an originalultrasound image to a PD mode or displaying an ultrasound image in thePD mode together with the original ultrasound image, Motion (M) Mode forchanging an imaging mode for an original ultrasound image to an M modeor displaying an ultrasound image in the M mode together with theoriginal ultrasound image, and Continuous Wave (CW) Mode for changing animaging mode for an original ultrasound image to a CW mode or displayingan ultrasound image in the CW mode together with the original ultrasoundimage.

According to an exemplary embodiment, as shown on the screen 1001, theImage Change category may include the 4 pieces of change information,i.e., Depth for adding depth information of an ultrasound image to theultrasound image, Zoom for enlarging or reducing an ultrasound image,Focus for adjusting a focus of an ultrasound image, and Time GainCompensation (TGC) for adjusting gain or image brightness according to adepth in an ultrasound image.

As shown on the screen 1001, according to an exemplary embodiment, theFunction category may include the 3 pieces of change information, i.e.,Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound for enhancing a contrast of an ultrasoundimage, Elastoscan for displaying a stiffness value of a specific portionin an original ultrasound image, and Fusion for displaying an imagegenerated using medical imaging techniques such as CT, MRI, PET, orDigital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) simultaneouslywith an original ultrasound image.

Furthermore, as seen on the screen 1001, the apparatus 100 (200) maydisplay the categories and pieces of change information together withicons that may be selected by the user and respectively correspond tonames of the categories and the pieces of change information. Forexample, the apparatus 100 (200) may display an icon 1003 correspondingto change information Fusion on the screen 1001.

Thus, the apparatus 100 (200) may receive an input for selecting piecesof change information that are displayed on the screen 1001 from theuser, and display in the second region 320 of FIG. 3 icons correspondingto the pieces of change information selected by the user among all iconsrespectively corresponding to pieces of change information of a movingimage. Furthermore, the apparatus 100 (200) may receive an input forselecting categories displayed on the screen 1001 and display in thesecond region 320 icons corresponding to the categories selected by theuser among all icons corresponding to categories including pieces ofchange information of a moving image.

Furthermore, by providing the user with the screen 1001, the apparatus100 (200) may receive an input for selecting a category or item from theuser. In this case, an item refers to pieces of change informationincluded in each category. In other words, the apparatus 100 (200) mayreceive an input for selecting a category from the user, and displayicons corresponding to the category including pieces of changeinformation of a moving image in the second region 320. The apparatus100 (200) may also receive an input for selecting an item from the user,and display icons respectively corresponding to pieces of changeinformation in the second region 320.

FIG. 10B is an example where the apparatus 100 (200) receives an inputfor selecting pieces of change information from the user, according toan exemplary embodiment.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 100 (200) mayprovide the user with the screen 1001 shown in FIG. 10A and receive fromthe user an input for selecting pieces of change information or iconsrespectively corresponding to the pieces of change information.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the apparatus 100 (200) may receive a user inputfor selecting a caliper 1011 and a body marker 1012 in Indicationcategory. In other words, the user may select the caliper 1011 and thebody marker 1012 via the user interface 120 (220) in the apparatus 100(200).

Furthermore, the apparatus 100 (200) may receive a user input forselecting Mode Change category 1013. When the apparatus 100 (200)receives the user input for selecting the Mode Change category 1013, allpieces of change information in the Mode Change category 1013 may beselected. In other words, when the apparatus 100 (200) receives the userinput for selecting the Mode Change category 1013, all the pieces ofchange information in the Mode Change category 1013, i.e., B Mode, CMode, PW Mode, PD Mode, M Mode, and CW Mode, may be selected.

FIG. 10C is an example where the apparatus 100 (200) displays anultrasound image when receiving a user input as shown in FIG. 10B,according to an exemplary embodiment.

The apparatus 100 (200) may display the first and second regions 310 and320 shown in FIG. 3 on a screen via the display 110 (210). Then, whenthe apparatus 100 (200) receives a user input as shown in FIG. 10B, theapparatus 100 (200) may display in the second region 320, as shown inFIG. 10C, the icons 341, 344, and 345 corresponding to pieces of changeinformation selected via the user input from among the icons 341 through345 shown in FIG. 3. In other words, the apparatus 100 (200) mayselectively display only pieces of change information selected by theuser, from among all pieces of change information that have been set inan ultrasound image.

Thus, the apparatus 100 (200) may selectively display only pieces ofchange information desired by the user instead of all pieces of changeinformation that have been set in an ultrasound image.

FIG. 10D is an example where the apparatus 100 (200) displays a secondregion 320 when receiving a user input as shown in FIG. 10B, accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

The apparatus 100 (200) may display the icon 440 representing aplurality of pieces of change information as shown in FIG. 4 in thesecond region 320. Then, when the apparatus 100 (200) receives a userinput as shown in FIG. 10B, the apparatus 100 (200) may display in thesecond region 320 an icon 1020 corresponding to pieces of changeinformation selected via the user input from the icon 440 shown in FIG.4. In other words, the apparatus 100 (200) may selectively display onlypieces of change information selected by the user, from among all piecesof change information that have been set in an ultrasound image.

Thus, the apparatus 100 (200) may selectively display only pieces ofchange information desired by the user instead of all pieces of changeinformation that have been set in an ultrasound image.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining classifying and displaying of piecesof change information by the apparatus 100 (200) according to anexemplary embodiment

The apparatus 100 (200) may arrange pieces of change information of amoving image according to predetermined criteria for display thereof.According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 100 (200) mayprovide the user with a screen 1101 to receive an input for selectingthe criteria according to which the pieces of change information arearranged from the user.

According to an exemplary embodiment, if the apparatus 100 (200)receives an input for selecting Ascending Order and Group from the user,the apparatus 100 (200) may divide pieces of change information of amoving image in each category into groups and list the groups and thepieces of change information in each group in an ascending alphabeticalorder. For example, if the apparatus 100 (200) receives an input forselecting Ascending Order and Group from the user, the apparatus 100(200) may provide the user with a screen 1105.

According to another exemplary embodiment, if the apparatus 100 (200)receives an input for selecting Descending Order and Group from theuser, the apparatus 100 (200) may divide pieces of change information ofa moving image in each category into groups and list the groups and thepieces of change information in each group in a descending alphabeticalorder.

According to another exemplary embodiment, if the apparatus 100 (200)receives an input for selecting Ascending Order and Time from the user,the apparatus 100 (200) may arrange piece of change information of amoving image with respect to time in an ascending order. In other words,the apparatus 100 (200) may list the pieces of change information of themoving image according to the order in which they are generated, i.e.,from earliest to latest.

According to another exemplary embodiment, if the apparatus 100 (200)receives an input for selecting Descending Order and Time from the user,the apparatus 100 (200) may arrange piece of change information of amoving image with respect to time in a descending order. In other words,the apparatus 100 (200) may list the pieces of change information of themoving image according to the order in which they are generated, i.e.,from latest to earliest. For example, if the apparatus 100 (200)receives an input for selecting Descending Order and Time, the apparatus100 (200) may provide the user with a screen 1103. As shown on thescreen 1105, the apparatus 100 (200) generated pieces of changeinformation in the order of Measure (NB), Annotation (“Cyst”), andAnnotation (“Mass”).

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a method of processing an ultrasoundimage, which is performed by the apparatus 100 (200), according to anexemplary embodiment.

Since the method of FIG. 12 may be performed by components in theapparatus 100 or 200 of FIG. 1 or 2, repeated descriptions with respectto FIGS. 1 and 2 are omitted.

Referring to FIG. 12, according to the present exemplary embodiment, theapparatus 100 (200) may display a moving image consisting of a pluralityof ultrasound images that are reproduced according to a time order on ascreen, together with at least one icon corresponding to at least onepiece of change information for changing a display of at least one ofthe ultrasound images (S1201). The at least one icon may be displayed onthe screen in association with the time order in which the ultrasoundimages are reproduced.

The apparatus 100 (200) may display a progress indicator representingthe time order in which the ultrasound images of the moving image isreproduced together with icons corresponding to change information.Furthermore, the progress indicator may be displayed based on the timewhen a moving image is reproduced or the number of ultrasound imagesdisplayed as the moving image is reproduced.

The apparatus 100 (200) may also display a thumbnail image,corresponding to a predetermined ultrasound image among a plurality ofultrasound images, in association with the time order in which theultrasound images of the moving image is reproduced.

Furthermore, if a plurality of pieces of change information aregenerated for a moving image, the apparatus 100 (200) may classify theplurality of pieces of change information according to a predeterminedcriterion. For example, the plurality of pieces of change informationmay be arranged in an ascending or descending alphabetical order oraccording to the order in which the pieces of change information aregenerated.

The apparatus 100 (200) may receive a user input for selecting an icondisplayed on the screen (S1203). If the apparatus 100 (200) receives aninput for selecting an icon, the apparatus 100 (200) may display anultrasound image changed according to change information correspondingto the icon. In this case, the apparatus (100) may receive a user inputfor changing a display of an ultrasound image.

Furthermore, the apparatus 100 (200) may receive a user input forselecting a thumbnail image corresponding to an ultrasound image. If theapparatus 100 (200) receives an input for selecting the thumbnail image,the apparatus 100 (200) may display the ultrasound image correspondingto the thumbnail image. The apparatus 100 (200) may also receive aninput for requesting a screen shot of an ultrasound image displayed on ascreen.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of processing an ultrasoundimage, which is performed by the apparatus 100 (200), according toanother exemplary embodiment.

Since the method of FIG. 13 may be performed by components in theapparatus 100 or 200 of FIG. 1 or 2, repeated descriptions with respectto FIGS. 1 and 2 are omitted.

The apparatus 100 (200) may acquire a moving image consisting of aplurality of ultrasound images that are sequentially reproduced (S1301).According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 100 (200) maytransmit an ultrasound signal to an object over a predetermined periodand generate a plurality of ultrasound images of the object based on anecho signal reflected from the object. Thus, the apparatus 100 (200) mayacquire a moving image from the generated ultrasound images.Furthermore, the apparatus 100 (200) may acquire a moving image in whicha plurality of ultrasound images are reproduced via communication withthe outside, or a prestored moving image from an internal memory.

The apparatus 100 (200) may generate change information for changing adisplay of an ultrasound image selected by the user from among aplurality of ultrasound images, based on a user input (S1303). Theapparatus 100 (200) may also generate an icon for identifying the changeinformation.

Furthermore, the apparatus 100 (200) may generate a thumbnail image forthe selected ultrasound image based on a user input. In detail, theapparatus 100 (200) may take a screen shot of the ultrasound image togenerate a thumbnail image for the ultrasound image based on a userinput.

The apparatus 100 (200) may also store the generated change informationor the thumbnail image as metadata.

The apparatus 100 (200) may display a progress indicator representing aprogress of reproduction of the moving image and an icon identifying thechange information (S1305). If the icon is selected by the user, theapparatus 100 (200) may change the selected ultrasound image accordingto the change information and display the changed ultrasound image.

Furthermore, the apparatus 100 (200) may display a thumbnail imagetogether with a progress indicator. If the thumbnail image is selectedby the user, the apparatus 100 (200) may display an ultrasound imagecorresponding to the selected thumbnail image.

In addition, the apparatus 100 (200) may classify and arrange pieces ofchange information according to a predetermined criterion for displaythereof.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a configuration of an ultrasound diagnosisapparatus 1000 related to an exemplary embodiment.

Methods of processing an ultrasound image according to exemplaryembodiments may be performed by the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 1000,and the apparatus 100 (200) may be included in the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus 1000.

The apparatus 100 (200) of FIG. 1 or 4 may perform some or all of thefunctions performed by the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 1000. Thedisplay 110 (210) and the user interface 120 (220) may correspondrespectively to a display 1400 and an input device 1600 shown in FIG.14. The image acquisition unit 230, the controller 240, and the memory250 shown in FIG. 2 may correspond respectively to an image processor1200, a controller 1700, and a memory 1500 shown in FIG. 14.Furthermore, the image acquisition unit 230 may correspond to a probe20, an ultrasound transceiver 1100, and the image processor 1200 shownin FIG. 14.

Referring to FIG. 1, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 1000 may includea probe 20, an ultrasound transceiver 1100, an image processor 1200, acommunication module 1300, a display 1400, a memory 1500, an inputdevice 1600, and a controller 1700, which may be connected to oneanother via buses 1800.

The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 1000 may be a cart type apparatus ora portable type apparatus. Examples of portable ultrasound diagnosisapparatuses may include, but are not limited to, a picture archiving andcommunication system (PACS) viewer, a smartphone, a laptop computer, apersonal digital assistant (PDA), and a tablet PC.

The probe 20 transmits ultrasound waves to an object 10 in response to adriving signal applied by the ultrasound transceiver 1100 and receivesecho signals reflected by the object 10. The probe 20 includes aplurality of transducers, and the plurality of transducers oscillate inresponse to electric signals and generate acoustic energy, that is,ultrasound waves. Furthermore, the probe 20 may be connected to the mainbody of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 1000 by wire or wirelessly,and according to embodiments, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 1000may include a plurality of probes 20.

A transmitter 1110 supplies a driving signal to the probe 20. Thetransmitter 110 includes a pulse generator 1112, a transmission delayingunit 1114, and a pulser 1116. The pulse generator 1112 generates pulsesfor forming transmission ultrasound waves based on a predetermined pulserepetition frequency (PRF), and the transmission delaying unit 1114delays the pulses by delay times necessary for determining transmissiondirectionality. The pulses which have been delayed correspond to aplurality of piezoelectric vibrators included in the probe 20,respectively. The pulser 1116 applies a driving signal (or a drivingpulse) to the probe 20 based on timing corresponding to each of thepulses which have been delayed.

A receiver 1120 generates ultrasound data by processing echo signalsreceived from the probe 20. The receiver 120 may include an amplifier1122, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 1124, a reception delayingunit 1126, and a summing unit 1128. The amplifier 1122 amplifies echosignals in each channel, and the ADC 1124 performs analog-to-digitalconversion with respect to the amplified echo signals. The receptiondelaying unit 1126 delays digital echo signals output by the ADC 1124 bydelay times necessary for determining reception directionality, and thesumming unit 1128 generates ultrasound data by summing the echo signalsprocessed by the reception delaying unit 1126. In some embodiments, thereceiver 1120 may not include the amplifier 1122. In other words, if thesensitivity of the probe 20 or the capability of the ADC 1124 to processbits is enhanced, the amplifier 1122 may be omitted.

The image processor 1200 generates an ultrasound image byscan-converting ultrasound data generated by the ultrasound transceiver1100 and displays the ultrasound image. The ultrasound image may be notonly a grayscale ultrasound image obtained by scanning an object in anamplitude (A) mode, a brightness (B) mode, and a motion (M) mode, butalso a Doppler image showing a movement of an object via a Dopplereffect. The Doppler image may be a blood flow Doppler image showing flowof blood (also referred to as a color Doppler image), a tissue Dopplerimage showing a movement of tissue, or a spectral Doppler image showinga moving speed of an object as a waveform.

A B mode processor 1212 extracts B mode components from ultrasound dataand processes the B mode components. An image generator 1220 maygenerate an ultrasound image indicating signal intensities as brightnessbased on the extracted B mode components 1212.

Similarly, a Doppler processor 1214 may extract Doppler components fromultrasound data, and the image generator 1220 may generate a Dopplerimage indicating a movement of an object as colors or waveforms based onthe extracted Doppler components. According to an embodiment, the imagegenerator 1220 may generate a three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound imagevia volume-rendering with respect to volume data and may also generatean elasticity image by imaging deformation of the object 10 due topressure. Furthermore, the image generator 1220 may display variouspieces of additional information in an ultrasound image by using textand graphics. In addition, the generated ultrasound image may be storedin the memory 1500.

A display 1400 displays the generated ultrasound image. The display 1400may display not only an ultrasound image, but also various pieces ofinformation processed by the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 1000 on ascreen image via a graphical user interface (GUI). In addition, theultrasound diagnosis apparatus 1000 may include two or more displays1400 according to embodiments.

The communication module 1300 is connected to a network 30 by wire orwirelessly to communicate with an external device or a server. Thecommunication module 1300 may exchange data with a hospital server oranother medical apparatus in a hospital, which is connected thereto viaa PACS. Furthermore, the communication module 1300 may perform datacommunication according to the digital imaging and communications inmedicine (DICOM) standard.

The communication module 1300 may transmit or receive data related todiagnosis of an object, e.g., an ultrasound image, ultrasound data, andDoppler data of the object, via the network 30 and may also transmit orreceive medical images captured by another medical apparatus, e.g., acomputed tomography (CT) apparatus, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)apparatus, or an X-ray apparatus. Furthermore, the communication module1300 may receive information about a diagnosis history or medicaltreatment schedule of a patient from a server and utilizes the receivedinformation to diagnose the patient. Furthermore, the communicationmodule 1300 may perform data communication not only with a server or amedical apparatus in a hospital, but also with a portable terminal of amedical doctor or patient.

The communication module 1300 is connected to the network 30 by wire orwirelessly to exchange data with a server 32, a medical apparatus 34, ora portable terminal 36. The communication module 1300 may include one ormore components for communication with external devices. For example,the communication module 1300 may include a local area communicationmodule 1310, a wired communication module 1320, and a mobilecommunication module 1330.

The local area communication module 1310 refers to a module for localarea communication within a predetermined distance. Examples of localarea communication techniques according to an embodiment may include,but are not limited to, wireless LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-FiDirect (WFD), ultra wideband (UWB), infrared data association (IrDA),Bluetooth low energy (BLE), and near field communication (NFC).

The wired communication module 1320 refers to a module for communicationusing electric signals or optical signals. Examples of wiredcommunication techniques according to an embodiment may includecommunication via a twisted pair cable, a coaxial cable, an opticalfiber cable, and an Ethernet cable.

The mobile communication module 1330 transmits or receives wirelesssignals to or from at least one selected from a base station, anexternal terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. Thewireless signals may be voice call signals, video call signals, orvarious types of data for transmission and reception of text/multimediamessages.

The memory 1500 stores various data processed by the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus 1000. For example, the memory 1500 may store medicaldata related to diagnosis of an object, such as ultrasound data and anultrasound image that are input or output, and may also store algorithmsor programs which are to be executed in the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus 1000.

The memory 1500 may be any of various storage media, e.g., a flashmemory, a hard disk drive, EEPROM, etc. Furthermore, the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus 1000 may utilize web storage or a cloud server thatperforms the storage function of the memory 1500 online.

The input device 1600 refers to a means via which a user inputs data forcontrolling the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 1000. The input device1600 may include hardware components, such as a keypad, a mouse, a touchpad, a touch screen, and a jog switch. However, embodiments are notlimited thereto, and the input device 1600 may further include any ofvarious other input units including an electrocardiogram (ECG) measuringmodule, a respiration measuring module, a voice recognition sensor, agesture recognition sensor, a fingerprint recognition sensor, an irisrecognition sensor, a depth sensor, a distance sensor, etc.

The controller 1700 may control all operations of the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus 1000. In other words, the controller 1700 maycontrol operations among the probe 20, the ultrasound transceiver 1100,the image processor 1200, the communication module 1300, the display1400, the memory 1500, and the input device 1600 shown in FIG. 1.

All or some of the probe 20, the ultrasound transceiver 1100, the imageprocessor 1200, the communication module 1300, the display 1400, thememory 1500, the input device 1600, and the controller 1700 may beimplemented as software modules. However, embodiments are not limitedthereto, and some of the components stated above may be implemented ashardware modules. Furthermore, at least one selected from the ultrasoundtransceiver 1100, the image processor 1200, and the communication module1300 may be included in the controller 1700. However, embodiments arenot limited thereto.

Examples of the above-described apparatuses include a processor, amemory for storing and executing program data, a permanent storage suchas a disc drive, a communication port for communicating with externaldevices, and a user interface device such as a touch panel, keys, orbuttons. Methods implemented by using software modules or algorithms maybe stored as computer-readable codes executable by the processor orprogram instructions on a computer-readable recording medium. Examplesof the computer-readable recording medium include magnetic storage media(e.g., ROM, RAM, floppy disks, hard disks, etc.) and optical recordingmedia (e.g., CD-ROMs and Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs)). Thecomputer-readable recording medium may also be distributed overnetwork-coupled computer systems so that the computer-readable codes arestored and executed in a distributed fashion. The computer-readablerecording medium can be read by a computer, function as a memory, andexecuted by the processor.

Exemplary embodiments may be described in terms of functional blockcomponents and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may berealized by any number of hardware and/or software components configuredto perform the specified functions. For example, the exemplaryembodiments may employ various integrated circuit components, e.g.,memory elements, processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables,and the like, which may carry out a variety of functions under thecontrol of one or more microprocessors or other control devices.Similarly to where the elements of the exemplary embodiments areimplemented using software programming or software elements, theexemplary embodiments may be implemented with any programming orscripting language such as C, C++, Java, assembler, or the like, withthe various algorithms being implemented with any combination of datastructures, processes, routines or other programming elements.Functional aspects may be implemented in algorithms that are executed onone or more processors. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiments mayemploy any number of conventional techniques for electronicsconfiguration, signal processing and/or data processing and the like.The words “mechanism”, “element”, “means”, and “construction” are usedbroadly and are not limited to mechanical or physical configurations,but may include software routines in conjunction with processors, etc.

The particular implementations shown and described herein areillustrative examples and are not intended to otherwise limit the scopeof the inventive concept in any way. For the sake of brevity,conventional electronics, control systems, software development andother functional aspects of the systems may not be described in detail.Furthermore, the connecting lines or connectors shown in the variousfigures presented are intended to represent exemplary functionalrelationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the variouselements. In an actual apparatus, there may be various functional,physical, or logical couplings between the elements, which may besubstituted or added as appropriate.

The use of the term “the” and similar referents in the context ofdescribing the exemplary embodiments (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural. Furthermore, recitation of ranges of values herein are merelyintended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually toeach separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicatedherein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specificationas if it were individually recited herein. Finally, the operations ofall methods described herein can be performed in any suitable orderunless otherwise specified herein or otherwise clearly contradicted bycontext. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g.,“such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate theinvention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the inventiveconcept unless otherwise claimed. While the present general inventiveconcept has been particularly shown and described with reference toexemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those ofordinary skill in the art that various changes, combinations, andmodifications in form and details may be made therein according todesign conditions and factors without departing from the spirit andscope of the present inventive concept as defined by the followingclaims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of processing an ultrasound image, themethod comprising: consecutively displaying a plurality of ultrasoundimages according to a time order; and displaying first information,corresponding to at least one piece of change information for changing adisplay of at least one of the plurality of ultrasound images, inassociation with the time order.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising receiving a first input for selecting the first information.3. The method of claim 2, further comprising, if the first input isreceived, changing the at least one ultrasound image according to the atleast one piece of change information and displaying the changedultrasound image.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:displaying at least one thumbnail image corresponding to the at leastone ultrasound image in association with the time order, receiving afirst input for selecting the at least one thumbnail image, anddisplaying, if the first input is received, the at least one ultrasoundimage corresponding to the at least one thumbnail image.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the at least one piece of change informationcomprises at least one selected from the group consisting of informationfor inserting a predetermined letter or image into the at least oneultrasound image, information for changing an imaging mode for the atleast one ultrasound image, and information for enlarging or reducingthe at least one ultrasound image.
 6. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising displaying a progress indicator representing the time orderand the first information.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein thedisplaying of the progress indicator and the first information comprisesdisplaying the first information at a position close to a time pointwithin the progress indicator when the at least one ultrasound image isdisplayed.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the progress indicator isdisplayed based on a time when the plurality of ultrasound images aredisplayed or based on a number of ultrasound images displayed among theplurality of ultrasound images.
 9. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising displaying the at least one piece of change information thatis classified according to a predetermined criterion or arrangedaccording to an order in which the at least one piece of changeinformation is generated.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:acquiring the plurality of ultrasound images; generating the at leastone piece of change information based on a user input; and storing theat least one piece of change information as metadata.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the acquiring of the plurality of ultrasound imagescomprises transmitting an ultrasound signal to an object over apredetermined period and generating the plurality of ultrasound imagesbased on an echo signal reflected from the object.
 12. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: receiving a first input for stopping aconsecutive display of the plurality of ultrasound images based on afirst one of the plurality of ultrasound images; generating first changeinformation for changing a display of the first ultrasound image basedon a second input; and displaying an icon corresponding to the firstchange information in association with the time order.
 13. Anon-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recordedthereon a program for executing the method of claim 1 on a computer.